In 1985 where former superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach into his own sprawling investigation, uncovering something that could completely change the... Read allIn 1985 where former superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach into his own sprawling investigation, uncovering something that could completely change the course of history as we know it.In 1985 where former superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach into his own sprawling investigation, uncovering something that could completely change the course of history as we know it.
- Director
- Writers
- Dave Gibbons(based on the graphic novel co-created by)
- David Hayter(screenplay by)
- Alex Tse(screenplay by)
- Stars
- Director
- Writers
- Dave Gibbons(based on the graphic novel co-created by)
- David Hayter(screenplay by)
- Alex Tse(screenplay by)
- Stars
- Awards
- 11 wins & 24 nominations
Videos26
- Pat Buchananas Pat Buchanan
- (as James Micheal Connor)
- Director
- Writers
- Dave Gibbons(based on the graphic novel co-created by)
- David Hayter(screenplay by)
- Alex Tse(screenplay by)
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
Storyline
- Taglines
- This city is afraid of me. I've seen its true face.
- Genres
- Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
- Rated R for strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaJackie Earle Haley was the only one of the main actors who was already familiar with the comic book. He actively campaigned for the part of Rorschach.
- Goofs(at around 1h 8 mins) Doctor Manhattan describes a "circulatory system" appearing on the grounds of a government base. However what is depicted is clearly the nervous system, as it features a brain and spinal cord, but no heart or lungs. (This error is repeated from the novel.)
- Quotes
Rorschach: I heard joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Life seems harsh, and cruel. Says he feels all alone in threatening world. Doctor says: "Treatment is simple. The great clown - Pagliacci - is in town. Go see him. That should pick you up." Man bursts into tears. "But doctor..." he says "I am Pagliacci." Good joke. Everybody laugh. Roll on snare drum. Curtains.
- Crazy creditsThe opening credits themselves often cast shadows in the frame that correspond with the flashes from photographer's bulbs.
- Alternate versionsIn Thailand the genitals of Dr Manhattan are masked and where Rorschach attack with an ax the victim's head is heavily blurred.
- ConnectionsEdited from Tales of the Black Freighter (2009)
- SoundtracksUnforgettable
Written by Irving Gordon
Performed by Nat 'King' Cole (as Nat King Cole)
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music
Watchmen was an extremely complex graphic novel filled with a lot of flawed costumed characters, strong plot, powerful sense of style, and also contained a world that seems a little too close to our own. The movie carries every one of these elements in the best way it possibly could. It stays true to the novel, and only changes a few details. The memorable characters are very well portrayed and acted as well. Dr. Manhattan (the giant blue guy) is played very well by Billy Crudup, who manages to keep the character interesting despite his emotionless attitude. Malin Akerman (Silk Spectre II), Patrick Wilson (Night Owl II), and Matthew Goode (Adrian Veidt) are also very good in their roles. However the two actors that truly help add depth and a real sense of anger to the film are Jeffrey Dean Morgan as The Comedian, and Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach. Rorschach was probably my favorite character because technically he's not really a hero at all. He's a psychopath with harmful and destructive behavior, even though in a way he's trying to do what he believes is right for the world. He is a fascinating character with his shape-shifting mask full of ink blots that mirror his personality.
The movie takes place in 1985 and mimics what was happening back then. Watchmen's story revolves around the threat of nuclear war and global destruction, and the characters mostly try to do the right thing for the world but have trouble seeing the point in doing so. This is a great film that stays true to the original graphic novel while transitioning its style, characters, chain of events, and storyline from page-to-screen the best it possibly could. However if you're not familiar with the source material you may find yourself confused by this movie. It's not like The Dark Knight where everybody that goes to see it knows who Batman and the Joker are. These characters are not as famous as those types of household name characters, and may be hard for someone's whose never read the novel to understand. Personally I only read a few chapters before I saw the movie, and I thought the movie was incredible. I always give a movie props for not taking the easy way out by spoon-feeding everything to the audience. The book, as well as the movie, was daring by taking of the risk of being complex and making you think for a change. Watchmen is a great movie, and despite its long running time of 163 minutes, I never found it boring at all. Watchmen is a fascinating graphic novel adaptation that deserves to be seen by anybody that likes their movies complex, dark, and absorbing.
- stewiefan201
- Mar 14, 2009
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Watchmen: The IMAX Experience
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $130,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $107,509,799
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $55,214,334
- Mar 8, 2009
- Gross worldwide
- $185,382,813
- Runtime2 hours 42 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1